VEHICLE REGISTRATION SERVICE
- AUTO REGISTRATION RENEWALS
- AUTO COMMERCIAL BOATS, MOTORCYCLE, OFF HWYS
- TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
- OUT OF STATE CAR TRANSFERS
- TITLE & PLATES
- PERSONALIZED PLATES
- RELEASE OF LIABILITY
- PLANNED NON OPERATIONS
- DISABLED PLACARD
- LIEN SALES
Vehicle Registration and Title Information
California does not offer a grace period after your vehicle’s registration expiration date. Be sure to pay your renewal fees on or before the date of expiration shown on your current registration card or penalties will be due in accordance with Vehicle Code Sections 9552 – 9554. The longer you delay payment of fees, the greater the penalty amount will be.
Even though your plates display only the month and year, your registration expires on a specific day. Be sure to check the registration card for the actual day of expiration.
The costs for fines and penalties due to non-payment on your registration vehicle may be too expensive. Consult Ximma Insurance Center: We do all paperwork for you!
Use the following information to determine how renewal penalties are calculated. Penalty fees are assessed in addition to any other fees due.
The number of days you have to transfer ownership of a vehicle you purchased or sold.
Buyer
If you purchase or acquire a vehicle from a private party, you have 10 days from the date of sale to report to DMV the change of ownership. Transfer fees must be paid to DMV within 30 days of the purchase date, even if you do not have all of the required documents. Failure to pay your fees to DMV within 30 days will result in transfer and use tax penalties.
Seller
If you sell or transfer ownership of a vehicle to another party, you have 5 days to report the transfer to DMV. You do this by completing a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability.
Personalized and special interest plates.
Anyone who has a currently registered California auto, truck, trailer, or motorcycle may order these license plates. Motorcycle plates are not yet available for all special interest plate programs.
What license plates are available and how much do they cost?
Special Interest License Plates have a special graphic design depicting an image relative to the organization’s interest. They are available with configurations of numbers, letters, or both, which have been personally chosen by the applicant (personalized) or are standard issue configurations (sequential). Environmental License Plates are the standard California plates, which do not have graphics, and are only available with personalized configurations.
What documents are required?
Special Interest License Plates may be obtained by ordering personalized Plates online or submitting a completed Special Interest License Plate Application (PDF) to the DMV at the address on the bottom of the form. You will need the information from your registration card to order online or to fill out the Special Interest License Plate Application.